The Brush Guard

RATING (out of 5 stars): 4.5 stars

COST: $5.50 for six

THE SKINNY: This is one of those inexpensive products that everyone can use. The Brush Guard makes plastic protectors for makeup brushes that you use when traveling or throwing brushes in the makeup bag in your purse.

Brushes easily slide into the plastic tube, which keeps the bristles from being battered during travel.

I never knew I wanted this until the sample arrived in a recent Birchbox, and what a cool idea. These are fairly inexpensive, too, considering how much makeup brushes can cost.

KEEP OR TOSS: Definitely keep.

CHECK IT OUT: These brushes come in sizes ranging from XS for a liner or lip brush to XL for a kabuki brush.

-- Tested by Shay

Chanecaille Faux Cils Mascara

RATING (out of 5 stars): 2 stars

COST: $42

THE SKINNY: Faux Cils Mascara costs about double what I would normally pay for mascara. That leads to some pretty high expectations that the product just didn't deliver.

This is a water-resistant mascara formulated with red seaweed extract (don't ask me why) to provide volume, length, and curl. It's supposed to be one of those build-able mascaras, so you add more coats to add more drama.

It's a slick mascara that seems to go on a little oily. It didn't clump, but it seemed to make my lashes look a little heavy and droopy.

But the death blow for this mascara is really the smell. Yes, smell. It smells like pine, a very strange and off-putting pine. It didn't bother my eyes, but it did bother my brain because mascara really shouldn't smell.

KEEP OR TOSS: Toss. The smell is a real turnoff.

CHECK IT OUT: This mascara comes in black and violet.

-- Tested by Shay

Philosophy Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash

RATING (out of 5 stars): 3.5 stars

COST: $15 for 4 ounces, other sizes available

THE SKINNY: Philosophy's Pure ... is my cleanser of choice. The new Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash is relatively inexpensive enough to make a nice addition to my cleansing routine because it's something I would only use once or twice a week.

Philosophy says this cleanser is gentle enough to be used every day, but I found the exfoliating grit to be a little rough on my skin for that. It will give my skin a nice buffing every so often. (This is where the $8 2-ounce bottle available online will be perfect.)

The cleanser is mild and effective and it really did leave my skin feeling bright.

The grit is a little rougher than Aveeno Daily Detoxifing Scrub or St. Ives' formulas but not quite as scary as Vasanti Brighten Up.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep.

CHECK IT OUT: Keep an eye on the Philosophy website and you can catch some great deals.

-- Tested by Shay

StriVectin-SD

RATING (out of 5 stars): 4 stars

COST: $99

THE SKINNY: StriVectin-SD's Power Serum for Wrinkles is a high-end, anti-aging serum that I got to try out as part of the BzzAgent program. After using the serum twice a day for three weeks, I can say I'm pretty impressed with the results. Fine lines do appear to be fading and my skin looks a little smoother and happier.

The serum is creamy and soaked in easily. I've used it under moisturizer and without moisturizer and in combination with StriVectin-TL Tightening Eye Serum.

My skin never reacted to the serum, but be careful if you try it. Many testers on the BzzAgent site reported redness and some had allergic reactions to the ingredients.


KEEP OR TOSS: Keep. I really like this serum and will use the whole bottle.

CHECK IT OUT: Find a full list of ingredients at the StriVectin website.

-- Tested by Shay

Global Keratin Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner

RATING (out of 5 stars): 3.5 stars

COST: $20 for 10 ounces (each)

THE SKINNY: This perfectly-sweet smelling shampoo and conditioner pair from Global Keratin or (GKHair) came in my September Glossybox (which has become my absolute favorite beauty box). You can preview my first Glossybox here.

The products are made without a lot of the harsh chemicals found in other hair-care products. The shampoo comes out of the bottle almost clear and I just can't get over how good these products smell. (Sometimes the more "natural" formulas have an off-putting scent.)

The shampoo left my hair feeling super-clean and smooth. According to the GKHair site, Fit is "fortified with Juvexin, a special formulation of proteins which creates a shield over each strand, protecting the hair while repairing damage." I would say this product lives up to the claim.

The conditioner worked equally well, leaving my hair tangle-free and easy to style.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep. What a great combo!

CHECK IT OUT: The only pitfall about this shampoo and conditioner is that it can be a little difficult to find. Check it out and buy from Folica.

-- Tested by Carrie